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'J'Sm'ie . 


BRIEF  ACCOUNT  OF  T 


ORIGIN  AND  PROGRESS 


C!)c  Boston  jfemale  S'octrtp  for 
ISBtsstonarp  purposes. 


WITH 

.*  • 

EXTRACTS  FROM  THE  REPORTS  OF  THE  SOCIETY, 
In  May,  1817  and  1818, 

AND 

EXTRACTS  FROM  THE  REPORTS  OF  THEIR  MISSIONARIES, 

REV.  JAMES  DAVIS, 

AND 

REV.  DUDLEY  D.  ROSSETER. 


Go  into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature. ...Jesus.. 


BOSTON : 

PRINTED  BY  LINCOLN  &  EDMANDS, 


No.  53  Cornhill. 


>  *  V  -a  mS 


BRIEF  ACCOUNT,  &c. 


“The  Boston  Female  Society  for  Missionary  Pur¬ 
poses,”  was  constituted  Oct.  Q,  1800.  Fourteen  ladies,  part  of 
the  Baptist  and  part  of  the  Congregational  denominations,  com¬ 
posed  the  Society.  The  two  first  years  after  its  commencement, 
its  little  funds  were  devoted  to  the  aid  of  the  “  Massachusetts 
Congregational  Missionary  Society.”  After  this,  a  Baptist  Mis¬ 
sionary  Society  being  formed,  it  was  agreed  to  appropriate  the 
subscriptions  of  each  member  to  her  own  denomination  ;  and 
that  both  should  meet  together  for  prayer,  and  to  conduct  their 
usual  business.  The  meetings  to  be  holden  the  first  Monday  in 
every  month. 

Different  sums  have  been  collected  from  year  to  year,  and 
applied  to  various  missionary  purposes  as  follows,  viz. 

The  purchase  of  Bibles,  Testaments,  and  other  religious  books, 
for  distribution  by  missionaries  in  destitute  places ;  to  home 
and  foreign  missions  of  both  denominations;  to  the  translation 
of  the  scriptures  into  the  oriental  languages,  and  to  the  support 
of  a  mission  in  this  town. 

The  Society  bv  its  constitution  is  at  liberty  to  make  such  appro¬ 
priations  of  its  funds,  as  the  openings  of  Providence  suggest  to  be 
duty;  whether  in  aid  of  foreign  or  domestic  missions.  It  has  in¬ 
creased  to  nearly  260  members.  Donations  have  been  received 
from  individuals  and  sister  societies  to  the  amount  of  $300,  in¬ 
cluding  which,  $3825,39  have  been  raised  by  the  Society  since  its 
formation,  viz.  22l9>f>9  by  the  Baptist,  and  1505,70  by  the  Con¬ 
gregational  branch,  and  $  100  by  voluutar-  contributions  of  both. 

There  are,  it  is  presumed,  many  females  in  this  place  who 
w'ould  rejoice  to  contribute  to  the  support  of  this  Institution,  if 
they  knew  such  an  one  existed.  As  it  will  now  be  more  gener¬ 
ally  known,  it  is  hoped  that  persons  of  both  denominations  will 
come  forward  and  aid  the  Society  either  by  subscription  or  do¬ 
nations,  which  will  be  appropriated  agreeably  to  the  constitution. 
Tho  ugh  a  large  proportion  of  the  present  members,  are  “  women 
professing  godliness,”  others  have  united  with  them  in  promoting 
the  best  interests  of  their  fellow  beings  ;  and  some  have  received 
a  blessing  to  their  own  souls  while  engaged  for  the  good  ©f  oth- 


4 


The  following  is  extracted  from  the  Report  of  the  Secretary , 

in  May,  J  8  i  7- 

“  Du  ring  the  past  season  the  attention  of  the  Society  has  been 
particularly  turned  to  the  state  of  our  own  town.  The  mul¬ 
tiplied  exertions  in  favour  of  more  distant  objects  have  at  length 
led  us  to  look  at  home,  (where  charity  is  usually  said  to  begin.) 
Viewing  the  destitute  situation  of  a  certain  class  of  inhabitants, 
whose  poverty  forbids  their  appearing  decent  at  public  worship  ; 
and  of  others  who  have  abandoned  themselves  to  every  species  of 
vice,  and  are  totally  disinclined  to  go  where  the  gospel  is  dispens¬ 
ed  ;  and  especially  considering  how  few,  comparatively,  can  be 
accommodated  in  our  houses  of  worship,  free  of  expense  ;  we 
have  thought  it  our  duty  to  try  the  practicability  of  a  new  plan; 
and  have  accordingly  appropriated  the  whole  income  of  the  year, 
which  closes  this  day,  to  the  support  ot  two  missionaries  (for  a 
few  months,  as  an  experiment)  to  visit  and  labour  with  the  above 
description  of  people.  May  the  Lord  raise  up  and  eminently 
qualify  men  for  this  important  undertaking.  We  trust  we  have 
not  gone  thus  far  without  deliberation,  nor  without  prayer.  And 
every  soul,  who  has  an  interest  at  a  throne  of  grace,  should  earn¬ 
estly  supplicate  a  divine  blessing.  We  know  that  Paul  may 
plant  and  Apollos  water,  but  God  alone  can  give  the  increase. 
We  know  that  we  cannot  make  one  hair  white  or  black  ;  but  we 
are  taught  to  “sow  our  seed  in  the  morning,  and  in  the  evening 
not  to  withhold  our  hand,  not  knowing  which  shall  prosper,  or 
whether  both  shall  be  alike  good.”  The  Lord  has  wonderfully 
blessed  the  exertions  of  his  people ;  and  he  has  promised  to  be 
with  his  faithful  ministers  even  to  the  end  of  the  world.  We 
therefore  cherish  the  animating  hope  that  some  real  good  will 
result  from  this  attempt,  and  that  habitations  which  now  echo 
with  profanity  and  discord,  will  ere  long  resound  with  the  mild 
accents  ofthe  gospel,  and  the  voice  of  prayer  and  praise  will  be 
heard. 

Should  only  one  immortal  being  reap  essential  advantage  front 
these  labors,  it  will  be  an  ample  reward.  But  on  the  contrary, 
should  they  all,  with  one  consent,  put  these  things  from 
them,  and  judge  themselves  unworthy  of  eternal  life  ;  we  may 
conscientiously  turn  to  some  other  object :  and  the  ministers  of 
Jesus  may  shake  off  the  dust  of  their  feet  for  a  testimony  against 
them. 

It  will  be  recollected  by  those  who  were  present  at  our  last 
meeting,  that  another  important  subject  was  brought  forward. 
The  question  had  been  agitated — Should  any  of  those  poor  un¬ 
happy  females,  who  have  wandered  into  the  paths  of  vice  and 
folly,  and  forfeited  their  good  name  and  reputation,  be  disposed 
by  means  of  missionary  labors  to  reform  and  become  correct  in 
their  lives, — what  is  to  become  of  them  ?  respectable  persons 
would  feel  it  unsafe  to  take  them  into  their  families  ;  and  their 
connections  (if  they  have  any)  probably  would  have  too  little  con¬ 
fidence  in  their  reformation  to  receive  them  to  their  homes.  To 


remain  where  they  are,  would  expose  them  not  only  to  sufferings, 
but  to  a  liability  of  relapsing  into  sin.  What  then  can  be  done  ? 
It  was  suggested,  that  if  proper  exertions  should  be  made,  an 
Asylum  might  be  provided,  to  which  those  pitiable  objects 
mrght  resort,  where  they  should  be  suitably  employed,  and  the 
proceeds  of  their  labour  go  to  their  support.  Here  they  mmht 
be  favoured  with  religious  instruction  and  wholesome  advice, 
until  proof  be  given  that  their  repentance  is  sincere.  They 
might  then  be  able  to  obtain  an  honest  and  reputable  liv¬ 
ing  for  themselves.  It  was  resolved  that  a  close  box,  with  an 
aperture  in  the  lid,  be  kept  in  the  Society  for  the  purpose  of 
receiving  voluntary  contributions  for  this  object,  should  the  at¬ 
tempt  be  made.  This  is  indeed  a  small  beginning,  but  the 
Lord  is  able  to  provide  a  sufficiency.  The  society  by  no  means 
proposes  to  take  a  work  of  such  magnitude  into  its  own  hands  ; 
but  most  sincerely  and  ardently  recommends  it  to  the  consider¬ 
ation  and  patronage  of  the  benevolent  and  virtuous;  and  would 
cheerfully  help  as  far  as  consistent.  Without  boasting,  it  rnay 
be  asserted,  that  many  thousands  of  dollars  have  been  raised  in 
this  town  to  spread  the  gospel  in  regions  not  favoured  with  its 
heavenly  influence  ;  we  may  therefore  conclude  that  the  friends 
of  religion  and  virtue  in  other  places  would  cheerfully  contribute 
to  an  undertaking  like  this ;  particularly  when  it  is  considered, 
that  but  a  small  proportion  of  these  unhappy  creatures  are  natives 
of  this  place.  They  are  collected  from  almost  all  parts  of  the 
country,  and  some  even  from  foreign  climes.  The  calamity  is  a 
public  calamity  ;  the  cause  of  virtue  is  a  public  cause ,  and  if  good 
is  done  it  will  be  felt  by  the  community.  There  are  several  In¬ 
stitutions  of  this  kind  in  Europe,  which  have  proved  a  blessing 
to  many.  .  l  o  check  the  torrent  of  vice,  which  is  flowing  with 
increasing  impetuosity,  and  restore  the  wanderer  to  her  father’s 
house,  must  be  truly  gratifying  to  the  benevolent  mind.  And  if 
the  great  Redeemer  condescended  to  notice  and  reclaim  such 
characters,  his  disciples  must  view  it  a  privilege  and  an  honour 
to  follow  his  example.  “  The  disciple  is  not  above  his  mas¬ 
ter.” 

In  ansvvei  to  a  Circular  to  similar  societies,  proposing  a  cor¬ 
respondence  by  letter  and  concert  in  prayer;  communications 
have  been  leceived  from  97  societies ;  and  from  information 
otherwise  received,  we  find  that  many  more  have  united  in  the 
prayer  meeting.  -Thus,  while  the  female  of  the  metropolis  re¬ 
joices  to  ret  ire  from  her  usual  avocations,  her  sisters  in  the  coun¬ 
try  also  feel  it  their  privilege  on  the  first  Monday  in  the 
month,  (a  day  favoured  of  the  Lord  ;)  to  assemble  with  the 
thousands  of  Israel,  and  pour  out  their  united  supplications  be¬ 
fore  the  mercy  seat.” 

Boston,  May  5,  1817. 


6 


Extracts  from  the  Report ,  May,  1818. 

«  Through  the  good  hand  of  our  God  upon  us,”  we  have  been 

preserved  another  year.  .  . 

‘  When  our  Report  was  made  the  last  May,  we  were  in  a  state 
of  suspense,  waiting  to  hear  from  Missionaries,  to  whom  aPPhca- 
tion  had  been  made  to  engage  in  the  service  ot  the  Society, 
the  l6th  of  June.  Mr.  Davis  arrived  in  town,  and  commenced  ms 
labours  the  same  week  ;  and  in  October  Mr.  Rosseter  also  came. 
They  both  have  laboured  with  little  interruption  to  this  time. 
The*  interesting  scenes  through  which  we  have  passed  must  be 
too  well  recollected  by  the  society  to  need  a  recital.  1  he  attempt 
was  at  first  made  as  an  experiment  of  its  utility  ;  but  the  success 
which  attended  the  effort,  encouraged  the  society  to  continue 
their  exertions  ;  and  a  number  have  stepped  forward  to  the  help 
of  the  Lord  against  the  mighty,  and  united  in  promoting  the 
cause.  Trials  have  indeed  been  mingled  with  our  mercies,  the 
keenness  of  which,  those  particularly  who  have  taken  a  more 
active  part  in  the  business  of  the  society,  ha  we  felt.  But  trials 
have  been  the  lot  of  God’s  people  from  the  conversion  ot  Abel 
to  the  present  hour.  Trials  therefore  ought  not  to  discourage  us, 
if  our  object  and  our  motives  be  right.  All  the  good,  which  will 

result  from  the  labours  of  our  missionaries,  probably  will  not  be 

known  in  time  ;  enough  however  has  been  apparent  to  justify 
the  hope  that  if  so  happy  ourselves  as  to  arrive  at  heaven,  we 
shall  meet  some  there  who  will  be  their  glory  and  joy. 

Among  the  most  promising  projects  of  the  mission  is  the  es- 
tabbshment  of  religious  meetings,  and  a  school  in  a  neighborhood 
of  coloured  people  at  the  north  part  of  the  town,  d  here  igno¬ 
rance  and  vice  reigned,  and  their  dread  retinue  of  evils  has  closely 
followed  them.  Since  these  exertious,  there  has  been  a  manifest 
alteration  for  the  better,  and  one  woman  has  been  hopefully  con¬ 
verted.  It  should  be  remembered  that  this  unfortunate  people 
were  introduced  into  our  country  by  the  cruel  hand  ot  avarice  and 
barbarity  ;  and  if  there  be  a  race  of  human  beings,  which  have 
a  right  to  demand  our  charity,  next  to  the  descendants  of  Abra¬ 
ham,  these  must  have  a  claim. 

Since  our  last  Report  death  has  been  commissioned  to  come  in 
among  us,  and  has  removed  four  of  our  number  to  the  world  of 
spirits.  We  hope  we  may  say,  “these  all  died  in  faith.” 

To  two  of  our  young  friends*  who  still  remain  members  of 
this  bod\ ,  we  have  given  the  parting  hand,  expecting  to  see  their 
faces  no  more  in  the  flesh.  If  the  winds  and  waves  have  been 
propitious,  they  have,  ere  this,  reached  their  destined  port,  and 
met  those  venerable  fathers,  who  have  for  years  been  labouring  to 
spread  the  word  of  life  through  the  region  and  shadow  ot  death. 

One  trying  dispensation  of  Providence  remains  to  be  recorded  ; 
Mr.  Hubbard,  a  young  man  of  piety  and  talents  had  engaged  in 
the  service  of  the  congregational  branch  of  the  society,  to  go  on 

*  Mrs.  Colinan  and  Mrs,  Wheelock,  the  wives  of  the  last  missionaries 
to  India. 


7 


a  mission  to  the  destitute  parts  of  Virginia.  His  health  was  del¬ 
icate,  but  his  physician  and  friends  thought  a  tour  to  the  south¬ 
ward  might  be  beneficial  rather  than  otherwise  ;  and  his  mind 
being  set  on  the  work,  he  commenced  his  journey.  But  before 
he  reached  the  ground  of  his  labours,  his  health  rapidly  declined, 
and  he  died  in  Savannah  in  March  last,  surrounded  by  strangers, 
but  happy  in  the  bosom  of  his  God. 

Twelve  Societies  have  been  added  to  the  list  of  our  correspond¬ 
ents  ;  which,  with  the  ninety-seven  from  whom  we  had  previously 
received  communications,  make  one  hundred  and  nine.  It  the 
hearts  of  all  those  little  praying  companies  are  rightly  influenced, 
what  clouds  of  incense  annually  ascend  to  heaven  ;  and  what  plen¬ 
tiful  effusions  of  the  Holy  Spirit  may  we  expect  will  descend  in 
answer  to  those  petitions  !  And  the  consideration  that  these  prayers 
are  united  with  millions  of  others,  swells  our  faith  almost  into 
vision  ;  and  we  believe  the  Lord  will  complete  the  glory  of  the 
church  in  his  own  time.” 

Boston,  May  4,  1818. 


The  following  is  extracted  from  reports  of  Mr.  Davis ,  made 
to  the  Society  at  different  times. 

Whosoever  shall  convert  a  sinner  from  the  error  of  his  wavs  shall  save 
a  soul  from  death,  and  hide  a  multitude  of  sins.  -  -  James  v.  20. 

He  that  winneth  souls  is  wise . Prov  xi.  30 

on  w?  theLth*at,  be  WiSC  ShaU  S!,ine  as  the  brightness  of  the  firmament, 
and  they  that  turn  many  to  righteousness,  as  the  stars  forever  and 

CVer'  7  *  '  ‘  *  -  Daniel  xii  3. 

—  “Commenced  my  labours  in  the  service  of  the  Society,  June 
19,  1817-  I  have  now  been  3  months  engaged  in  the  work,  and 
have  preached  in  six  different  sections  of  the  town,  (a  considerable 
part  ot  the  period,  eight  and  nine  times  a  week.)  Have  attend- 
ed  a  number  of  prayer-meetings  ;  visited  between  three  and  four 
hundred  families;  distributed  several  hundred  religious  tracts 
and  several  dozens  of  Bibles.  Numbers  have  with  tears  in  their 
eyes,  expressed  a  great  sense  of  gratitude,  in  view  of  the  attention 
paid  to  them,  and  some ,  apparently  from  the  fulness  of  their 
hearts,  after  conversation  and  prayer,  have  said,  -  God  bless 
you,  &c.— In  Southark  street.  West  Boston,  the  people  are 
astonishingly  destitute  of  the  means  of  religious  instruction, 
and  appear  not  to  have  the  fear  of  God  before  their  eyes.  Just 
in  that  vicinity,  there  are  more  than  a  thousand  people  who  do 
not  attend  public  worship,  who  are  evidently  hastening  on  with 
amazing  rapidity  the  broad  road  to  ruin.  With  propriety  it  may 
be  said,  there  is  the  place  where  Satan's  seat  is.  There  awful 
impmties  prevail ;  and  all  conceivable  abominations  are  practised  ; 
there  the  depravity  of  the  human  heart  is  acted  out  ;  and  from 
this  sink  of  sin,  the  seeds  of  corruption  are  conveyed  into  every 


8 


part  of  the  town.  Five  and  twenty  or  thirty  shops  are  opened  on 
Lord’s  days  from  morning  to  evening,  and  ardent  spirits  are  re¬ 
tailed  without  restraint,  while  hundreds  are  intoxicated,  and  spend 
the  holy  sabbath  in  frolicking  and  gambling,  iri  fighting  and  blas¬ 
pheming;  and  many  in  scenes  of  iniquity  and  debauchery  too 
dreadful  to  be  named.  The  street  is  tilled  during  the  day  with 
old  and  young  of  all  complexions,  numbers  drunken  and  sleeping 
by  its  sides  and  corners;  and  awful  noises  and  confusions  are  wit¬ 
nessed.  Lord’s-day  evening  is  the  period  when  greater  numbers 
collect  than  at  any  other  season  of  the  week  ;  hundreds  of  boys 
from  all  parts  of  the  town,  on  this  evening  repair  thither,  where 
their  ears  are  assailed  with  the  dialect  ot  the  dark  world  ;  while 
all  the  oaths  are  uttered,  which  the  powers  of  the  mind,  long  ex¬ 
ercised  in  the  service  ot  the  adversary,  and  excited  to  action  by 
a  totally  depraved  heart,  could  possibly  invent.  Here  these  lads 
enter  a  school,  calculated  to  give  them  an  entire  disrelish  for  all 
moral  and  religious  restraint;  and  to  cause  them  wholly  to  dis¬ 
regard  parental  authority  and  instruction  : — A  school  pre-eminent¬ 
ly  calculated  to  erase  from  their  minds  all  thoughts  of  God,  and 
their  accountability— a  school,  entirely'  suited  to  train  them  for 
the  commission  of  all  conceivable  crimes,  to  be  a  disgrace  to  their 
family  connections,  to  be  pests  in  society ,  and  subjects  for  a  world 
of  despair.  Here,  week  after  week,  whole  nights  are  spent  in 
drinking  and  carousing  ;  and  as  the  morning  light  begins  to 
appear,  when  others  arise  from  their  beds,  these  close  their  doors. 
Multitudes,  evidently  in  different  professions  and  employments, 
clad  in  a  manner  indicative  of  affluence  and  high  life,  as  soon  as 
the  sable  curtains  of  the  evening  are  drawn  around  them,  pass  and 
j-epass  from  one  end  of  the  street  lo  the  other;  and  beyond  all 
doubt  contribute  much  in  different  ways  to  the  support  and  en¬ 
couragement  of  the  abandoned  and  the  prostitute.  Here  in  one 
compact  section  of  the  town,  it  is  confidently  affirmed  and  fully- 
believed,  there  are  three  hundred  females  wholly  devoid  ot  shame 
and  modesty.  Their  manner  of  life  leads  to  the  destruction 
of  constitution  and  health.  Wretchedness  and  misery  ensue  ; 
disease  and  sickness  bring  great  numbers  to  the  alms-house. 
Multitudes  of  coloured  people,  by  these  examples,  are  influenced 
to  habits  of  indolence.  Hundreds  are  dispersed  into  different  parts 
of  the  town,  and  are  watching  every  opportunity  to  steal.  Vari¬ 
ous  articles  of  provisions  are  brought  and  sold  here  for  a  trifle. 
These  depraved  creatures,  as  soon  as  the  darkness  of  the  evening 
screens  them  from  view,  are  thrusting  themselves  into  entries  and 
other  places,  and  pilfering  clothes  of  different  kinds,  which  they 
pawn  or  sell.  Children  are  continually  begging  f  om  house  to 
house,  and  are  in  this  way  trained  up  in  habits  of  idleness  :  and 
while  they  collect  provisions  to  support  their  parents  and  others, 
the  examples  they  witness  are  calculated  to  confirm  them  in 
iniquity,  and  effect  their  everlasting  ruin.  Great  numbers  of 
coloured  people,  when  the  inclement  season  of  the  year  comes  on, 
are  brought  to  circumstances  of  extreme  suffering,  being  wholly 
destitute  of  food  and  clothes.  Wretchedness,  in  all  its  forms. 


9 


is  experienced.  Four  or  five  of  them  have  been  seen  lying  on 
one  floor  without  any  bed,  or  articles  of  bed  clothes  :  sick,  and 
incapable  of  helping  themselves  ;  affecting  spectacles  of  human 
woe  ! — they  must  be  carried  to  the  alms  house,  or  die.  It  has 
been  ascertained  that  such  characters  are  to  be  found  in  many 
other  streets.  It  is  probable  there  are  at  least  two  thousand  of 
them  scattered  over  the  town. 

Being  urged  to  attempt  instrumental ly  to  effect  a  reformation, 
or  to  remedy  the  evil,  I  appointed  a  religious  meeting  a  little 
to  the  eastward  of  this  street.  Individuals  were  prevailed  on  to 
attend  :  the  week  after,  1  appointed  to  attend  religious  exercises 
a  little  to  the  south-west  of  this  street  ;  the  number  present 
was  considerably  increased,  some  were  affected.  These  meetings 
have  been  continued,  and  evidently  blest  to  the  benefit  of  some 
precious  and  immortal  souls. — In  consequence  of  a  death  which 
took  place  in  a  house  of  ill  fame,  I  was  requested  to  call  and 
attend  prayer.  The  house  was  occupied  by  the  worst  of  char¬ 
acters.  1  he  meeting  was  considerably  numerous  and  very  sol¬ 
emn.  A  woman,  past  the  meridian  of  life,  residing  under  the 
same  roof,  used  profane  language  and  uttered  blasphemies  in  a 
distant  part  of  the  house  during  the  season  of  worship  ;  and  a 
number  of  times  afterwards  disturbed  the  meetings  by  similar 
enormities;  but  was  eventually  constrained  to  request  a  meeting 
in  her  own  room.  A  decent  family,  though  in  low  circumstances, 
moved  into  this  bouse,  being  ignorant  of  the  character  of  its 
occupants.  The  eldest  daughter,  a  girl  about  fourteen  or  fifteen 
years  of  age,  who  appeared  discreet,  was  in  a  few  days  enticed  and 
drawn  away  by  the  vilest  of  the  vile  ;  she  soon  became  awfully 
profane  in  her  language,  and  immodest  in  her  conduct  ;  she  left 
the  family  of  which  she  was  a  member,  cast  off  all  restraint,  refused 
submission  to  her  parents,  and  appeared  to  be  on  the  brink  of 
ruin.  Being  present  in  the  time  of  solemn  religious  worship, 
she  was  seen  to  manifest  a  great  degree  of  depravity,  and  a  de¬ 
termination  to  rise  above  all  fear  of  God,  and  the  consequences 
of  her  daring  impiety.  She  was  excessive  in  her  laughter  and 
trifling  ;  she  was  repeatedly  conversed  with  and  reproved.  Her 
situation  was  represented  to  her  mother,  who  was  constrained  to 
weep  over  her.  Expostulations  were  reiterated,  and  means  used 
abundantly  to  reclaim  her.  It  appears  the  snare  is  broken,  and 
the  young  immortal  is  escaped.  Think,  O  think,  ye  affectionate 
mothers,  how  would  your  hearts  be  wrung  with  anguish,  and 
your  eyes  run  down  with  tears,  in  view  of  your  amiable  daugh¬ 
ters,  the  objects  of  y  our  tenderest  solicitude,  ensnared  by  the  wiles 
of  the  ungodly,  and  falling  victims  to  the  vile  lusts  of  brutes  in 
human  form.  I  have  visited  from  house  to  house  ;  in  a  variety 
of  instances  have  been  requested  to  pray  with  and  for  them  ;  num¬ 
bers,  with  tears,  have  related  the  manner  in  which  they  have  lived, 
and  expiessed  their  determination  to  reform,  and  a  strong  desire  to 
get  away  from  that  place.  Some  of  those  persons  were  brought 
there  by  fraud  and  intrigue,  contrary  to  their  inclinations,  and 

B 


10 


wholly  ignorant  of  the  wiles  which  prevailed  ;  concerning  whom 
I  had  reason  to  believe  they  would  leave  the  Hill,  and  reform,  if 
any  place  could  be  provided  for  their  accommodation,  and  means 
for  their  assistance.” 

From  the  encouragement  that  has  been  given  by  a  number  oi 
respectable  persons,  that  such  a  place  would  be  provided,  it  suffi¬ 
cient  evidence  of  their  sincerity  should  be  obtained  ;  they  have 
been  informed  of  the  benevolent  design,  and  appear  anxious  for 
its  accomplishment. 

At  another  time  Mr.  Davis  states  : — 

“  A  desire  was  expiessed  that  religious  meetings  should  be  at¬ 
tended  on  Lord’s-days.  A  large  hall  was  therefore  opened  for 
this  purpose;  between  two  and  three  hundred  crowded  in,  many 
were  standing  round  the  doors,  all  were  attentive,  some  were  affect¬ 
ed  :  wildness,  wonder,  and  surprise,  were  depicted  in  the  coun¬ 
tenances  of  many,  and  but  very  few  appeared  to  have  any  idea  of 
being  seated.  In  the  evening,  religious  exercises  were  attended 
m  a  chamber  on  account  of  a  woman  who  was  sick.  She  appear¬ 
ed  to  be  much  impressed  through  the  week  in  view  of  her  guilt 
and  danger,  and  to  have  alarming  apprehensions  of  future  wrath  ; 
she  frequently  called  upon  me  to  pray  with  her,  and  inquired 
what  she  should  do  to  be  saved.  Next  Lord’s  day,  religious  ex¬ 
ercises  were  attended  again  in  the  hall,  and  at  evening,  in  the 
chamber  just  referred  to.  The  house  was  occupied  by  af  Mr.  — . 
A  number  of  females  came  in,  and  some  coloured  men  ;  but  there 
was  none  on  whom  1  could  greatly  depend  for  assistance  or  pro¬ 
tection,  in  case  of  difficulty.  Mr.  —  and  his  wife  came  in  and 
took  their  seats.  About  the  middle  of  the  exercises,  Mr.  —  left 
the  room  ;  his  wife  began  in  strains  of  awful  profanity ;  and,  utter¬ 
ing  dreadful  blasphemies  and  imprecations,  went  out  and  declar¬ 
ed  with  an  oath,  if  I  came  up  the  stairs  again,  she  would  break 
my  neck.  At  the  close  of  the  meeting  she  came  to  the  woman 
confined  to  her  bed,  called  her  hard  names,  addressing  her  in 
language  expressive  of  the  greatest  cruelty,  and  with  threats  and 
oaths,  ordered  her  to  leave  the  house  and  be  gone.  Next  Lord’s 
day  morning,  one  week  from  this  time,  she  was  taken  suddenly 
in  the  most  distressing  manner,  and  on  Tuesday  she  died.  God 
declares  that  he  is  angry  with  the  wicked  every  day  ;  that  they 
shall  not  live  out  half  their  days.  Truly  it  is  a  fearful  thing  for 
a  sinner  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  living  God. 

After  meetings  had  been  attended  a  number  of  Sabbaths  in  the 
hall,  religious  exercises  were  appointed  on  the  evening  of  the 
Lord’s  day  ;  an  unusual  number  collected.  One  evening  a 
voung  man  (it  was  said  from  the  navy-yard  in  Charlestown)  en¬ 
tered  the  hall  with  his  hat  on,  spoke  audibly,  and  manifested  a 
determination  to  disturb  the  meeting.  He  was  particularly  ad¬ 
dressed  and  cautioned.  Before  the  week  terminated,  he  was  dead. 
Next  Lord’s  day  evening,  in  the  same  place,  a  sailor  came  among 


11 


,j,he  assembly  and  made  disturbance  ;  within  four  or  five  days,  be 
was  called  into  the  eternal  world.  Well  may  we  consider  the 
power  of  the  Lord  ;  his  daring,  implacable  foes,  should  tremble. 
Be  says,  a  fire  is  kindled  in  mine  anger,  which  shall  burn  to  the 
lowest  hell.  Wo  to  the  wicked,  it  shall  be  ill  with  him.  The 
reward  of  his  deeds  shall  be  given  him.  The  wicked  shall  be 
driven  away  in  their  wickedness,  they  shall  not  go  unpunished. 
The  significant,  impressive  question  should  come  home  to  the 
bosom  of  every  believer  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  “  who  hath 
made  thee  to  differ  ?  what  hast  thou  which  thou  hast  not  re-r 
ceived  ?” 

It  has  been  intimated  to  those  unfortunate  and  abandoned  fe¬ 
males,  that  some  place  would  be  provided  for  them.  Some  of 
them  are  frequently  inquiring  when  they  shall  have  assistance  to 
get  away  from  the  Hill  ?  They  express  a  great  desire  to  leave  the 
place.  One  woman  remarks,  that  at  the  death  of  her  husband, 
she  was  left  in  destitute  circumstances,  with  a  number  of  helpless 
children.  She  says  she  has  conducted  in  such  a  manner,  that  the 
idea  of  seeing  her  family  connections  would  be  intolerable.  Ex¬ 
presses  much  regret  that  she  cannot  get  away.  She  says  she  has 
been  all  over  town  to  try  to  get  a  place,  but  no  one  will  take  her 
in.  Observed,  she  could  not  bear  the  thoughts  of  her  children 
being  reproached  in  view  of  their  mother’s  continuing  to  be  a 
prostitute.  She  manifested  great  earnestness  to  obtain  a  Bible. 
After  saying  every  thing  to  her  I  could,  for  her  present  and  eter¬ 
nal  good,  and  obtaining  promises  relative  to  the  manner  in  which 
she  would  improve  this  Holy  Book;  1  put  the  sacred  Volume 
into  her  hands. 

As  I  was  walking  one  day,  I  met  a  coloured  man  with  his  violin. 
I  asked  him,  if  he  had  not  better  lay  aside  that,  and  attend  to  the 
concerns  of  his  soul  ?  He  replied,  “this  is  the  wray  I  have  to  get 
my  living.”  I  urged  the  importance  of  an  interest  in  Christ,  of 
being  prepared  to  die  :  said  he,  “  I  have  been  encouraged  for 
irjany  years  in  my  employ,  as  much  by  ministers  as  any  class  of 
people.  They  have  sent  their  children  to  dancing  schools  and. 
balls,  and  have  themselves  attended.”  He  appeared  shielded 
against  conviction,  and  disposed  to  justify  himself  on  the  ground 
of  the  countenance  he  had  received  from  those  who  are  reputed 
wise  and  good,  as  spiritual  guides. 

The  sailors  are  a  numerous,  and  in  some  sense  an  important 
class  of  people.  I  have  attended  a  number  of  meetings,  particu¬ 
larly  with  them  ;  some  of  them  appeared  to  listen  with  serious¬ 
ness  to  the  instructions  of  God’s  word.  Tq  a  number  of  them  I 
have  given  the  Holy  Bible,  which  has  been  received  with  expres¬ 
sions  of  gratitude.  Appropriate  tracts,  also,  have  been  put  into 
the  hands  of  many  of  them,  which  have  interested  their  feelings. 
We  have  requests  for  meetings  in  almost  every  part  of  the  town  ; 
those  who  have  not  been  in  the  habit  of  attending  meetings  any 
where,  manifest  great  satisfaction  in  view  of  the  means  used  tp 
promote  their  spiritual  good.” 


12 


Sept.  7,  1818,  Mr.  Davis  closes  by  the  following  statement. 

I  have  been  fourteen  months  in  the  employ  of  the  Society,  have 
attended  four  hundred  seventy  four  religious  meetings,  including 
morning  prayer-meetings,  seasons  of  fasting  and  prayer,  relig¬ 
ious  worship  on  the  sabbath,  and  lectures.  I  have  distributed 
one  thousand  four  hundred  religious  tracts,  and  three  hundred 
Bibles  and  Testaments.  I  have  received  in  payment  for  a  num¬ 
ber  of  Testaments,  to  the  amount  of  seven  dollars,  which  I  have 
paid  to  the  treasurer  of  the  Massachusetts  Bible  Society.  1  have 
attended  to  the  instruction  of  ninety  persons,  adults  and  children, 
in  Sunday  schools.  Have  sent  away*  eight  unfortunate  females, 
to  thei'-  respective  homes,  or  to  places  of  service.  1  have  visited 
families,  and  conversed  with  individuals  as  much  as  health  and 
strength  would  admit,  and  have  fiequently  been  called  to  pray 
with  the  sick  and  dying.  These  services  have  been  performed 
in  twenty-six  streets,  of  which  I  have  the  names  ;  and  in  many 
allot  s  and  courts,  the  names  of  which  I  cannot  ascertain. 

Of  those  who  have  frequented  these  meetings  :  there  have  been 
seventeen*  hopefully’  turned  from  darkness  to  light,  with  these 
I  have  particularly  and  frequently  conversed  when  in  their  dis¬ 
tress,  and  constrained  to  inquire  what  they  should  do  to  be  saved  ? 
These,  in  the  judgment  of  Christian  charity,  have  experienced  a 
change  of  heart,  have  been  made  to  embrace  and  love  the  truth, 
and  have  been  brought  into  the  liberty  of  the  glorious  gospel. 
We  are  assured  that  all  who  are  born  of  the  Spirit  and  from  above, 
will  be  kept  by  the  power  of  God  through  faith  unto  salvation* 


Extracts  from  Mr.  Rosseters  Reports. 

“  In  every  period  of  the  world,  since  the  first  transgression,  all 
mankind  have  exhibited  the  degeneracy  of  their  nature,  by  the 
undeviating  course  of  sin  and  folly,  which  when  left  to  them¬ 
selves  they  have  invariably  pursued.  Well  might  the  prophet 
exclaim.  The  gold  has  become  dim,  and  the  most  fine  gold  is 
changed  !  Yet  there  is  sweet  consolation  in  the  reflection,  that 
the  all  atoning  blood  of  Jesus  is  sufficient  to  cleanse  the  vilest 
pollution;  and  no  one  need  despair  of  mercy  who  is  conscious 
of  exercising  evangelical  repentance.  For  he  hath  said,  “though 
your  sins  be  as  scarlet,  they  shall  be  white  as  snow  ;  though  they 
be  red  like  crimson,  they  shall  be  as  wool  ”  Christ  has  suffered, 
bled,  and  died,  that  we  might  be  raised  from  a  state  of  misery 
and  wretchedness  to  unfading  and  immortal  glory. 

*  The  persons  here  alluded  to,  as  having  been  sent  away,  and  those 
hopefully  converted,  are  not  the  same  persons  hereafter  mentioned  in 
Mr.  Rosseter’s  report.  It  should  likewise  be  remarked  that  of  those  per¬ 
sons  who  have  given  evidence  of  a  change,  the  principal  part  are  from  the 
more  reputable  (though  poor)  class  of  people. 


IS 


During  a  residence  of  12  months  in  this  town,  in  the  perform¬ 
ance  of  my  missionary  duties,  I  have  not  unfiequently  been  com¬ 
pelled  to  witness  such  a  sad  variety  of  human  misery  as  could  not 
fail  to  impress  my  heart  with  the  most  painful  sensations.  Alas  ! 
that  rational  and  immortal  beings,  endued  with  capacities  for  the 
purest  and  noblest  enjoyments,  should  sink  even  beneath  the  brute 
creation. 

Since  I  commenced  my  labours  in  this  place,  I  have  visited 
1896  families,  distributed  54  Bibles,  68  Testaments,  45  Piimers, 
and  1389  Tracts ;  have  been  called  to  visit  67  sick  persons,  and 
19  in  the  agonies  of  death, — have  attended  32  funerals,  observed 
3  seasons  of  fasting  and  prayer.  Have  attended  meetings  on 
Lord’s-day  in  Southark-Street,  and  10  other  streets.  Have  held 
lectures  in  36  different  streets,  and  attended  prayer  meetings  in 
11,  and  visited  8  schools.  I  have  also  attended  sabbath-schools 
in  West-Boston  and  in  the  north  part  of  the  town. 

In  my  daily  visits  l  have  generally  met  with  the  kindest  recep¬ 
tion  ;  in  some  cases,  however,  have  been  received  with  coldness  ; 
but  am  happy  to  say,  that  in  such  instances  they  have  almost  in¬ 
variably  manifested  a  different  disposition  on  my  leaving  them, 
and  have  often,  with  tears,  solicited  me  to  call  again.  In  con¬ 
versing  with  them  I  have  endeavoured  to  bring  into  view  the 
divine  character,  as  excellent  and  terrible,  and  as  angry  with  the 
wicked  every  day  ;  have  also  sought  to  impress  their  minds  with 
the  exceeding  sinfulness  of  sin,  and  the  importance  and  absolute 
necessity  of  repentance  and  faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  in  or¬ 
der  to  be  accepted  of  him. 

An  astonishiug  degree  of  stupidity'  and  ignorance  pervades 
the  minds  of  many.  They  scarcely  know  that  they  have  a  soul, 
and  are  wholly  insensible  that  they  are  destined  to  the  retribu¬ 
tions  of  eternity.  Some  of  them  cannot  read  a  word,  and  they 
often  plead  that,  as  an  excuse  for  their  total  neglect  of  re'igion. 
Others  have  very  incorrect  views  of  the  glorious  plan  ot  salvation, 
fondly  imagining  that  a  few  prayers  and  alms-deeds  will  save  them. 

In  visiting  the  sick  and  dying  I  have  witnessed  a  variety  of 
scenes,  both  pleasant  and  painful  ;  have  beheld  some  who  were 
just  launching  into  eternity,  in  the  sweet  hope  of  a  glorious  im¬ 
mortality  ;  but,  alas  !  the  scene  has  been  too  often  reversed.  I 
have  beheld  many,  who  have  lived  without  God,  and  without 
hope  in  the  world,  who  have  died  either  stupid  or  despairing. 
In  one  of  my  visits  found  a  young  female,  who  in  a  state  of  in¬ 
toxication  scalt  herself  jn  such  a  shocking  manner,  that  there 
was  no  hope  of  her  recovery.  She  had  her  senses,  but  appeared 
perfectly  stupid  as  it  respects  the  concerns  of  her  soul,  then  just 
ready  to  sink  into  the  fathomless  abyss.  Oh  how  distressing,  to 
behold  a  being  destined  to  an  eternal  existence,  thus  perfectly 
indifferent  whether  that  existence  be  happy  or  misetai  le  ! 

Called  with  a  friend  at  a  house  in  Soutbark-street.  In  the 
corner  of  a  dirty  room  on  a  bed  of  shavings,  lay  a  horrid  object — 
the  sad  victim  of  iniquity  and  disease.  So  emaciated  w  as  her  form, 
that  there  was  scarcely  a  vestige  of  her  former  self  remaining. 


14 


So  dreadful  her  appearance,  that  all  who  beheld  her  felt  an  invol¬ 
untary  emotion  of  terror.  She  attempted  to  rise,  but  hei  strength 
failed.  She  sunk  back  and  exclaimed,  Oh,  Lord  !  have  mercy 
upon  me  ;  my  God,  what  shall  I  do  ?  The  scene  was  too  affecting 
for  language  to  describe.  We  endeavoured  to  converse  with  tier, 
and  to  direct  her  to  the  cross  of  Christ.  As  she  was  destitute 
of  every  necessary,  we  thought  it  expedient  to  remove  her  to  the 
alms-house  as  soon  as  possible.  This  we  ellected  ;  an  ere  we 
must  close  her  mournful  story.  She  expired  in  one  hour  alter 
her  removal,  without  manifesting  any  hope  ;  a  dreadful  warning 
to  her  surviving  associates  to  shun  her  example.  But  alas  .  sue  ) 
scenes  are  too  often  witnessed  by  those  miserable  creatuies  to 
have  the  desired  effect.  As  we  left  this  abode  of  sin  and  sorrow, 
which  was  directly  opposite  one  of  the  halls,  we  beheld  at  the 
door  several  of  those  deluded  women  ;  my  friend  endeavoured  to 
converse  with  them,  and  pointing  to  the  room  we  just  left,  eih- 
treated  them  to  look  there  and  be  reminded  of  the  dreadful  end 
which  awaited  them,  if  they  persisted  in  their  vicious  practices; 
but  they  scoffed  and  mocked,  and  replied  in  very  indecent  lan- 

°  As  I  was  one  day  passing  with  a  friend  through  Southark 
street,  we  met  a  number  of  these  abandoned  females.  Said 

one _ “  there  is  a  minister  another  said  in  a  low  tone  of  voice, 

not  expecting  me  to  hear— “  will  you  preach  me  a  sermon  f” 
1  asked  her  what  she  said  ;  she  replied,  “  will  you  preach  us  a 
sermon  ?”  I  told  her  I  would  tell  them  a  solemn  truth  in  a  lew 
words,  and  that  out  of  love  to  their  souls.  I  then  observed,  that 
the  course  they  were  pursuing  would  lead  them  directly  down  to 
hell.  I  thought  it  not  best  to  multiply  words  on  this  occasion, 
and  left  them,  sincerely  wishing  that  this  solemn  sentence  might 
deeply  impress  their  hearts-;  they  stood  amazed  and  made  no 


reply.  ... 

Called  on  an  aged  and  respectable  woman  who  was  very  ill, 
and  destitute  of  the  comforts  of  life  ;  conversed  with  her  upon  the 
interests  of  her  immortal  soul.  She  expressed  great  anxiety  to 
make  her  peace  with  God,  observed  that  she  had  been  a  wretched 
sinner,  and  was  fearful  that  she  had  out  lived  her  day  of  grace. 
She  appeared  to  have  a  very  great  sense  of  her  sin,  as  committed 
against  an  infinitely  holy  and  merciful  God.  Said  she,  “  all 
is  dark  and  gloomy,  Oh  !  that  I  knew  that  Jesus  was  my  friend.” 
I  asked  her  if  she  thought  she  was  prepared  to  die;  with  a 
faltering  voice,  and  tears  in  her  eyes,  she  replied,  no,  no.  I 
endeavoured  to  pray  with  and  for  her,  and  after  receiving  many 
thanks,  and  being  entreated  to  call  again,  1  retired.  1  have 
since  frequently  called  on  her,  and  am  happy  to  say,  that  she  is 
now  rejoicing  in  hope,  and  gives  satisfactory  evidence  of  a  change 
of  heart. 


Visited  a  person  in  great  distress  of  mind,  who  for  forty  years 
had  been  trusting  in  the  plan  of  universal  salvation.  Asked  him 
what  were  his  views  in  the  near  prospect  of  dissolution.  He  re¬ 
plied,  that  his  foundation  was  shaken,  and  he  was  convinced. 


15 


that  that  doctrine  would  do  better  to  live  by,  than  die  by.  Asked 
him  how  he  would  probably  live  could  he  recal  his  past  life. 
He  said,  that  he  would  lead  a  far  different  life.  After  conversing 
some  time  with  his  son,  who  sat  by,  and  appeared  much  affected, 
1  asked  him  what  advice  he  would  give  to  his  son.  He  said  he 
would  advise  him  not  to  live  as  he  had  done  ;  but  attend  imme¬ 
diately  to  religion.  He  appeared  extremely  anxious  to  hear 
religious  conversation,  and  earnestly  requested  me  to  pray  with 
him.  I  asked  him  what  he  wished  me  to  pray  for  ;  he  paused 
a  moment,  and  replied,  that  his  sins  might  be  pardoned,  and 
that  he  might  be  prepared  for  death.  He  begged  of  me  to  call 
again.  I  gave  him  a  tract  and  retired.  Have  frequently  called 
on  him  since,  and  found  him  in  great  distress,  and  sometimes 
almost  despairing  of  mercy.  Many  will  be  constrained  to  say, 
“  let  me  die  the  death  of  the  righteous,  that  my  last  end  may 
be  like  his,”  who  have  not  been  careful  to  live  his  life. 

In  visiting  families  in  another  part  of  the  town,  met  with  an 
unfortunate  female  whose  history  interested  me  much.  She  was 
a  native  of  England,  her  father  had  been  a  military  officer  of 
some  distinction,  but  unhappily  for  her  he  became  d'ssipated, 
left  her  mother,  took  another  wife,  tore  her  from  the  arms  of  her  fond 
maternal  friend,  and  brought  her  to  America;  where  she  was  ed¬ 
ucated  for  the  theatre,  and  became  a  celebrated  actress  on  the 
stage.  Thus  was  she  led  on  to  ruin,  by  one,  whom  the  laws  of 
God  and  man  required,  should  have  guided  her  youthful  steps, 
and  imprinted  on  her  heart  the  pure  principles  of  religion  and 
virtue.  What  a  dreadful  account  must  he  have  to  give,  when 
arraigned  before  the  bar  of  Jehovah,  who  has  thus  been  the  very 
pander  of  his  own  offspring.  She  is  now  a  miserable,  abandoned, 
and  wretched  woman  ;  but  of  late  I  have  frequently  seen  her  at 
meetings;  she  appears  solemn,  and  often  weeps:  expresses  a 
great  desire  to  leave  her  vicious  courses,  and  return  to  the 
paths  of  virtue.  She  is  very  desirous  to  get  a  situation  in  some 
family,  where  she  may  obtain  an  honest  livelihood — says  she  has 
not  a  friend  to  assist  her. 

As  it  respects  a  part  of  the  Hill  at  West-Boston,  I  think  it  of 
momentous  importance,  that  something  should  be  done.  It  is 
impossible  for  any  one,  not  acquainted  with  circumstances,  to 
imagine,  or  for  me  to  describe,  the  awful  deeds  of  darkness  which 
are  committed  with  impunity  in  that  most  horrid  sink  of  pollution. 
What  scenes  of  agonizing  misery,  and  hopeless  death,  are  there 
to  be  met  with  !  There  no  soft  sympathizing  tones  meliorate 
the  agonies  of  despair,  no  hand  of  affection  wipes  from  the 
pallid  face  the  cold  sweat  of  death.  There  all  the  feelings  of 
humanity  are  obliterated.  “  Like  brutes  they  live,  like  brutes 
they  die.”  Perhaps  many,  who  are  now  a  disgrace  to  human 
nature,  were  once  the  idols  of  their  fond  parents,  who  cherished 
them  with  the  tenderest  affection  ;  and  while  lovely  in  innocence 
and  purity,  they  reclined  on  their  parental  bosoms,  have  looked 
forward  with  delightful  anticipations  to  the  period,  when  their 
beloved  daughters,  happily  established  in  the  world,  would  he 
'he  support  and  solace  of  their  declining  years. 


16 


I  have,  with  a  friend,  improved  Saturday  aiternoons,  tor  a  uum- 
her  of  weeks,  in  visiting  on  the  Hill,  from  house  to  house,  and 
from  hall  to  hall.  Sometimes  we  have  witnessed  scenes  which 
were  solemn  and  affecting  ;  at  others,  our  hearts  have  been  pain¬ 
ed  to  behold  the  extreme  sufferings  and  distress  of  our  fellow 
creatures.  Not  unfrequently  have  a  number  of  them  gatheied 
around  us,  and  listened  with  seriousness  and  attention  to  what 
was  communicated, — have  appeared  deeply  to  regret  that 
such  has  been  their  manner  of  life,  and  promised  that  they  would 
in  future  pursue  a  different  course. 

We  called  one  day  at  one  of  the  halls  ;  eight  or  ten  of  those 
abandoned  females  came  around  us  with  countenances  expressive 
of  the  deepest  solicitude  to  hear,  and  most  of  them  were  in  tears. 
One  of  them  said,  that  she  had  written  to  her  parents,  entreating 
them  to  receive  her  home  ;  humbly  imploring  their  forgiveness, 
and  promising  repentance  and  reformation.” 

At  another  time  Mr.  Rosseter  states  : — 

“  I  have  for  a  fortnight  past  made  every  exertion  to  obtain  all 
possible  information  respecting  the  situation  of  West-Boston, 
and  am  now  prepared  to  say,  that  many  appear  truly  desirous  to 
leave,  have  expressed  the  strongest  anxiety,  and  have  followed  me 
from  house  to  house,  weeping  and  entreating  me  to  assist  them 
in  getting  away  from  the  Hill.  I  am  aware  that  it  will  be  objected, 
that  little  dependence  can  be  placed  on  their  mere  assertion  ; 
but  from  what  l  have  daily  witnessed,  I  will  venture  confidently 
to  affirm,  that  should  an  opportunity  offer,  many  would  imme¬ 
diately  and  joyfully  embrace  it.  In  confirmation  of  this  assertion, 
it  is  necessary  to  mention,  that  all,  with  but  one  exception,  for 
whom  means  have  been  provided,  have  immediately  left ;  and 
that  one  died  in  a  most  shocking  manner,  entreating  her  com¬ 
panions  to  take  warning  from  her  dreadful  fate. 

Have  sent  nine  from  the  Hill,  one  a  young  girl  who  had  been 
sometime  resident  there,  and  had  sadly  departed  from  every 
thing  amiable  and  lovely  in  the  female  character — who  had  even 
threatened  to  destroy  the  life  of  her  only  parent,  a  fond  mother. 
Distressed  and  wearied  with  her  infamous  mode  of  living,  she 
at  length  formed  the  resolution  to  abandon  forever  a  place  where 
there  were  so  many  records  of  her  shame  and  folly  ;  and  if  possible 
to  be  reconciled  to  her  parent.  She  went  to  a  lady  requesting 
her  assistance,  which  she  readily  granted  ;  and  went  in  pursuit 
of  her  mother,  and  at  her  house  they  met;  an  affecting  scene 
ensued.  The  injured  parent  was  willing  to  forgive  her  unhappy 
daughter,  in  case  of  a  reformation.  It  was  thought  best  for  them 

to  go  immediately  to - where  they  have  friends.  Some 

necessary  articles  of  clothing  were  obtained  for  the  girl ;  my  friend 
paid  the  expenses  of  their  passage  ;  and  I  saw  them  on  board  a 
vessel,  which  sailed  in  the  evening. 

Another,  who  for  a  long  time  has  expressed  a  most  fervent  rvish 
to  get  away  and  leave  those  dominions  of  sin,  has,  whenever  she 
has  seen  me,  in  an  affecting  tone  of  entreaty,  inquired  of  me, 


17 


Have  you,  sir,  got  a  place  for  me  yet  ?  It  has  pained  my  heart 
that  I  have  so  often  been  compelled  to  answer  in  the  negative, 
I  trust  that  a  reformation  in  her  conduct  took  place  last  winter, 
frotn  which  1  have  reason  to  believe  she  has  never  sweived, 
though  assailed  with  repeated  and  inveterate  enemies. 

A  pious  and  respectable  man  lately  informed  me,  that  there 
was  one  of  those  unhappy  females  who  wished  to  leave  the  Hill. 
She  had  written  to  him  repeatedly,  requesting  him  to  get  her 
away,  and  said  that  she  not  long  since  called  at  his  house,  en¬ 
treating  him  to  use  his  influence  with  a  friend  of  hers,  that  she 
might  be  admitted  into  her  family,  until  she  could  obtain  a 
place.  He  accompanied  me  to  where  we  saw  and  conversed  with 
he'r.  She  appears  truly  penitent  for  her  past  errors,  and  heartily 
wearied  with  the  detestable  vices  she  had  for  years  past  pursued. 
She  expressed  a  willingness  to  go  any  where,  and  do  ant  kind  of 
work.  The  gentleman  who  was  ray  companion,  obtained  con¬ 
sent  of  her  friend  to  receive  her  to  her  house.  She  was  supplied 
with  some  necessary  articles  of  clothing  by  a  lady  ;  and  she  that 
evening  we  hope  bade  a  lasting  adieu  to  those  shameless  haunts 
of  infamy  and  prostitution.  She  has  since,  as  far  as  l  can  learn, 
conducted  with  strict  propriety.  I  have  often  seen  her  at  meet¬ 
ing,  where  she  always  appears  solemn  and  affected.  A  sister 
of  hers,  who  had  once  been  a  companion  with  her  in  this  broad 
road  to  destruction,  had  some  time  previous  to  this  been  rescued 
in  nearly  the  same  manner  by  the  same  gentleman.  She  by  an 
undeviating  course  of  good  conduct  has  obtained  a  place  in  a 
very  reputable  family. 

With  respect  to  my  meetings,  I  am  happy  to  state,  that  they 
have  generally  been  well  attended  ;  and  a  very  flattering  degree 
of  solemnity  and  attention  have  been  conspicuous  in  my  little 
auditories.  In  some  instances  the  house  has  been  so  crowded 
that  many  have  been  compelled  to  retire. 

One  circumstance,  in  particular,  will  not,  perhap-,  be  uninter¬ 
esting.  At  a  meeting  on  the  Sabbath,  while  I  was  engaged  in 
supplicating  the  throne  of  grace,  the  man  of  the  house,  who  had 
formerly  been  a  very  hardened  and  profane  sinner,  was  so  com¬ 
pletely  overwhelmed  with  a  sense  of  his  lost  and  ruined  condition, 
that  he  was  unable  to  sustain  his  body,  and  tell  to  the  floor. 
The  people  gathered  round  him,  exclaiming,  he  is  dying  !  I 
was  unable  to  proceed  ;  but  requested  them  to  be  silent,  and  ob¬ 
served  that  he  was  no>  d\ing,  but  sincerely  hoped  that  he  would 
die  to  sin,  and  live  to  righteousness  He,  recovering  himself  a 
little,  cried  out,  Do  pray  for  mu — O,  Lord,  have  mercy  on  me  ! 
His  burden  of  sin  appeared  greater  than  he  could  possibly  endure. 
All  were  in  tears  and  begging  for  mercy.  The  scene  was  too 
solemn  for  language  to  describe.  I  endeavoured  to  direct  them 
to  the  ouiy  Saviour  of  lost  men,  and  to  urge  the  importance  of 
their  immediately  surrendering  themselves  unreservedly  to  God. 
I  continued  the  exercises  as  long  as  1  thought  profitable,  and  ap¬ 
pointed  another  meeting  at  the  same  place  in  the  afternoon.  The 
house  was  crowded,  a  deep  solemnity  apparently  pervaded  every 

C 


18 


mind,  and  every  ear  was  attentive  while  I  addressed  them  from 
these’ words,  “  The  harvest  is  past,  the  summer  is  ended ,  and  we 
are  not  saved."  After  meeting  I  conversed  particularly  with 
the  above  mentioned  person,  who  appeared  truly  humble  and 
penitent;  confessed  himself  to  be  a  great  sinner,  and  said  that 
he  deserved  no  mercy  at  the  hand  of  his  offended  Judge ,  whose 
vengeance  he  had  often  imprecated  in  the  most  profane  manner. 
I  told  him  that  Jesus  had  died  for  guilty  and  polluted  sinners, 
and  now  all  that  was  required  of  him,  in  order  to  be  accepted  of 
God,  was  to  repent  and  believe  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and 
he  should  be  saved.  More  than  a  week  elapsed  before  he  durst 
hope  in  the  mercy  of  God,  and  now  it  is  not  without  trembling. 
As  far  as  1  can  learn,  he  is  regular  in  his  attendance  on  public  wor¬ 
ship  on  the  sabbath — attends  regularly  to  the  duties  of  the  fam¬ 
ily.  I  have  often  seen  and  conversed  with  him,  and  1  think  both 
from  his  life  and  conversation  that  he  is  now  travelling  in  the 
strait  and  narrow  path  that  leadeth  unto  life,  and  will  in  the 
resurrection  morn  be  found  among  the  redeemed. 

In  March  I  established  an  inquiring  meeting  at  my  house— the 
first  evening  there  were  25  present,  the  next  27,  and  sometimes 
the  house  has  been  crowded  so  that  some  were  unable  to  be  seated. 
Many  of  them,  we  trust,  were  sincere  inquirers,  and  some  are  now 
rejoicing  in  hope. 

Prayer  meetings  have  been  peculiarly  solemn  and  interesting  ; 
and  we  humbly  trust  that  the  Lord,  by  the  influences  of  his 
Holy  Spirit,  has  condescended  to  be  one  in  the  midst  of  us,  and 
bless  us.  As  far  as  we  can  aseeitain,  there  are  in  the  judgment 
of  charity  20  hopeful  converts,  some  of  whom  have  connected 
themselves  with  different  churches;  and  thirty  or  forty,  who  are, 
we  trust,  now  anxiously  inquiring  what  they  shall  do  to  be  saved. 

Truly  we  may  exclaim,  “What  hath  God  wrought!”  “The 
Lord  reigneth,  let  the  earth  rejoice.  He  doeth  according  to  his 
will  in  the  armies  of  heaven,  and  among  the  inhabitants  of  the 
earth.  His  word  shall  not  return  unto  him  void.” 


REMARKS. 


In  reflecting  on  the  statements  which  are  made  in  the  preceching 
Reports,  a  number  of  important  ideas  occur  to  the  mind.  1  he 
Society  was  formed  for  Missionary  purposes,  and  had  assisted  the 
benevolent  efforts  of  their  brethren  to  advance  ,the  kmSd 
their  glorious  Redeemer.  They  have  beheld  and  rejoiced  in  the 
success  which  has  attended  their  undertakings  ;  and  still  feel _  dis¬ 
posed  to  aid  them.  But  as  the  combined  energies  of  the ^Chris¬ 
tian  world  are  exerted  to  disseminate  the  knowledge  of  God  and 
the  way  of  life  and  salvation  among  the  ignorant  and  destitute  in 
heathen  lands,  and  in  the  interior  of  our  own  country  ;  lt 
highly  important  that  some  means  should  be  employed  for  the 
benefit  of  those  immediately  around  us,  who  are  wallowing  in  sin, 
ignorant  of  their  real  character,  and  insensible  of  their  accountabil¬ 
ity  to  an  omniscient  Judge. 

The  closing  command  of  our  ascended  Redeemer,  Go  ye 
into  all  the  world  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every  creV^’ 
applies  equally  in  the  present  as  in  other  cases.  And the  m 
pressive  charge  to  begin  at  Jerusalem,  plainly  argues,  that,  it  it 
were  the  duty  of  the  apostles  to  proclaim  the  gospel  to  the  Jew 
first  ”  succeeding  disciples  should  use  every  endeavour  to  pro¬ 
mote  the  spiritual  welfare  of  their  neighbou  rs  ;  and  then  proceed, 
until  “  none  shall  need  say  to  his  brother,  know  ye  the  Lord. 

It  is  contended  by  those  who  are  not  friendly  to  this  mission, 
that  it  is  unnecessary;  that  there  are  houses  of  worship  in  the 
town;  and  if  those  people  were  disposed,  they  m»glithav  p^ 
portunity  to  hear  the  gospel  occasionally.  This  is  true  n  a 
tain  sense.  But  are  not  the  free  seats  in  all  our  houses  of  w°r®h 
where  the  unadulterated  truths  of  the  gospel  are  maintamed  ful  y 
occupied  on  Lo^d’s-days  ?  And  would  the  generality  of  those  per 
sons  meet  a  welcome  reception  into  pews,  that  are  owned  or  hired, 
even  when  they  are  not  filled  ?  There  are,  it  is  true,  occasional 
lectpres,  on  which  some  might  be  permitted  to  attend  (should 
they  take  a  distant  seat)  if  they  were  disposed.  But  th-  gr 
difficulty  with  most  of  them  is,  they  are  not  disposed.  1  he 
duty  then  devolves  on  chnstians  to  visit,  or  employ 
them  in  their  own  abodes,  and  endeavour  by  every  possible  metn 
odTolwS  them  ,o  a  .ease  of  their  lost  and  wretched  condition, 

and  the  immense  value  of  their  immortal  souls.  Should 


20 


ouv  neighbour’s  house  at  midnight  enveloped  in  flames,  could  we 
content  ourselves  with  the  idea  that  he  was  asleep,  haif  suffoca¬ 
ted,  and  thereby  indisposed  to  arise  and  flee  from  the  impending 
ruin  ?  Would  it  not  be  our  duty  to  alarm  him,  and  convince  him 
that  his  situation  was  dangerous  ? 

The  pastors  of  our  churches  have  a  great  variety  of  cares,  and 
their  time  must  be  occupied  in  attending  to  their  own  immediate 
charge.  And  it  is  a  well  known  fact,  that  there  are  thousands 
of  our  inhabitants  that  are  not  attached  to  any  congregation,  and 
have  no  minister  on  whom  they  can  call  as  their  pastor.  There 
is  also  demonstrative  evidence  that  numbers  will  aitend  or,  the 
preaching  of  the  word,  if  they  can  have  the  opportunity  free  of 
expense,  in  their  own  neighborhoods,  among  their  own  associates, 
and  iu  their  usual  attire. 

After  weighing  those  considerations,  what  reasonable  objection 
can  be  made  to  this  undertaking?  Besides  all  the  arguments 
which  may  be  brought  to  prove  that  it  is  the  duty  of  Christians  to 
seek  the  good  of  their  neighbour,  there  is  much  reason  to  be¬ 
lieve  that  the  Lord  has  condescended  to  own  the  labours  of  his 
servants  by  making  them  instrumental  of  the  salvation  of  some 
precious  souls.  In  this,  as  in  all  similar  cases,  we  must  calculate 
on  disappointments.  We  cannot  expect  that  all  those  persons 
who  tiave  entertained  hopes  of  mercv,  will  prove  the  genuine  dis¬ 
ciples  of  Christ.  There  always  have  been  “tares  among  the 
wheat.”  Impositions  were  practised  upon  the  apostles  them¬ 
selves  ;  and  human  depravity  is  the  same  in  the  present  as  in 
past  ages.  If  onlv  half  the  number  of  supposed  converts  have 
in  reality  “  passed  from  death  unto  life,”  heaven  has  been  filled 
with  the  acclamations  of  angels ;  and  the  hearts  of  believers  should 
swell  with  emotions  of  adoration  and  joy. 

It  is  duty  to  acknowledge  the  kindness  and  liberality  of  a  num¬ 
ber  ol  respectable  brethren  who  have  frequently  accompanied 
the  missionaries  and  otherwise  contributed  to  the  support  of  the 
mission.  Also  a  vore  ot  the  selectmen,  granting  $30  from  the 
legacy  of  the  late  Mr.  Abiel  Smith,  “for  the  benefit  of  Africans,” 
to  aid  in  supporting  the  A+riean  school  at  the  north  part  of  the 
town  Individuals  have  likewise  contributed  to  this  object,  so 
as  to  enable  the  Society  to  continue  the  school  till  the  commence¬ 
ment  ot  winter,  with  the  hope  of  opening  it  again  in  the  spring.* 
i  he  adults  in  this  school  have  lived  in  a  state  of  degradation 
and  vvrethedness,  and  the  children  have  been  exposed  to  the  worst 
examples.  It  must  therefore  require  the  continued  exercise  of 
patient,  persevering  efforts,  to  effect  important  and  lasting  ad¬ 
vantages.  Sufficient  improvement,  however,  has  been  made  to 
induce  a  belief,  that  with  the  same  facilities  for  instruction,  th°ir 
progress  would  be  equal  to  that  of  the  whites.  But  a  consider¬ 
able  lapse  of  time,  with  proper  information  and  encouragement 
aie  requisite  w  wear  away  that  dullness  and  depression,  incident 
to  their  humiliating  condition.  A  number  of  the  children  can 


A  Sabbath  school  will  be  kept  up  during  the  winter. 


21 


how  read  with  a  degree  of  accuracy  ;  and  have  committed  por¬ 
tions  of  scripture,  hymns  and  catechisms;  and  have  made  as 
much  proficiency  in  writing  and  sewing  as  could  be  expected. 
The  rent  of  the  school  room  has  been  principally  paid  by  the 
scholars. 

It  would  be  a  very  important  acquisition  to  the  mission,  if 
small  buildings  could  be  erected  or  hired,  as  places  of  worship, 
where  the  poor  might  assemble  without  embarrassment.  YV  hen 
the  blessed  Saviour  commissioned  his  disciples  to  go  forth  and 
publish  the  gospel,  he  prefaced  the  mandate  by  this  powerful 
argument,  “  freely  ye  Have  received,  freely  give.”  Chris¬ 
tians  mav  shortly  feel  it  their  duty  and  privilege  to  devise  a  plan 
for  the  accomplishment  of  this  object.  A  number  of  halls  at  the 
west  part  of  the  town  have  been  opened  for  religious  exercises : 
but  a  place  appropriated  for  the  purpose,  would  be  less  exposed 
to  interruptions,  and  be  far  more  convenient  for  preaching. 

Another  subject  of  vast  importance  presents  itself  while  pe¬ 
rusing  the  foregoing  Reports,  viz.  The  necessity  of  an  institution 
for  the  reception  of  those  unhappy  females  who  are  weary  of  a 
life  of  infamy,  and  are  willing  to  labour  for  their  support,  if  em¬ 
ployment  could  be  provided  for  them.  And  likewise  for  the 
children,  who  are  strolling  our  streets,  begging  from  house  to 
house  ;  and  frequently  stealing  in  the  most  artful  manner,  as 
though  deeply  skilled  in  the  practice.  Truly  it  may  be  said, 
the  si  us  of  this  people  have  reached  up  to  heaven.  And  we  may 
justly  expect  the  judgments  of  a  sin-avenging  God  will  fall  upon 
us,  unless  measures  are  taken  to  put  away  these  abominations 
from  the  land. 


The  following  observations,  by  a  friend,  are  deserving  the 
consideration  of  the  public. 

“  Should  the  town  see  fit,  (as  it  is  hoped  it  will)  to  institute 
a  work-house,  or  house  of  industry,  where  disorderly  persons  be¬ 
longing  to  the  town  should  be  confined  and  employed,  while 
others  are  sent  to  the  towns  to  which  they  respectively  belong, 
the  benevolence  of  individuals  might  be  exerted  in  behalf  of 
those  who  conduct  with  the  most  propriety,  by  providing  an 
Asylum,  upon  the  same  plan  with  those  in  London,  and  other 
parts  of  Europe. 

“  Vagrant  children  might  be  taken  up  in  a  similar  manner, 
and  placed  under  the  care  of  masters  and  governesses,  who  should 
possess  the  requisite  qualifications,  where  they  should  be  taught 
to  do  all  kinds  of  work  suited  to  their  age,  and  calculated  to 
prepare  them  for  future  usefulness. 

“  By  these  means  united,  the  growing  evils  under  consider¬ 
ation  would  be  in  a  very  great  degree  counteracted  ;  the  prop¬ 
erty  of  our  citizens  would  be  more  secure;  and  a  new  tone  would 
be  given  to  the  morals  of  the  lower  classes  of  society.” 


We  conclude  our  remarks  by  observing , 

In  all  our  endeavours  to  promote  either  personal  or  public  hap- 
piness,  it  is  of  the  utmost  consequence  that  we  possess  a  humble, 
prayerful  spirit.  The  Apostle  says,  “  I  n  every  thing  by  prayer 
and  supplication  let  your  request  be  made  known  unto  God.”  Jt 
is  his  prerogative  alone  to  command  a  blessing  upon  the  most  in¬ 
defatigable  and  unremitting  labours  of  his  people.  The  noblest 
efforts  of  saints  and  angels  united,  could  never  effect  the  con¬ 
version  of  a  sinner,  without  the  agency  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  Je¬ 
hovah  has  declared,  that  he  will  be  inquired  of  by  the  house  of 
Israel  to  do  these  things  for  them.  Let  Christians,  then,  under 
a  solemn  sense  of  their  dependance  and  their  obligations,  be 
importunate  at  the  throne  of  grace,  and  give  the  Lord  no  rest, 
until  he  establish  and  make  Jerusalem  a  praise  in  the  earth. 
Ho  can  make  the  feeblest  of  his  children  instrumental  of  good  ; 
and  they  have  the  delightful  privilege  of  ascribing  the  glory  to 
him. 

Those  who  engage  in  benevolent  operations  must  expect  to 
meet  discouragements  and  opposition  in  all  their  forms;  but 
while  imploring  the  influences  of  the  Spirit,  and  relying  on  all- 
sufficient  aid,  let  this  animating  portion  of  holy  writ  be  kept  in 
perpetual  remembrance.  Be  not  weary  in  well  doing ,  for  in  due 
season  ye  shall  reap,  if  ye  faint  not . 


The  following’  piece  (copied  from  the  Boston  Gazette  of  Oct.  1, 
1818,)  is  subjoined  as  a  testimony  that  there  are  pious  heads 
of  families  in  this  place,  who  feel  anxiously  solicitous  that 
proper  measures  should  be  put  into  operation  by  the  guardians 
of  the  town,  for  the  prevention  of  those  evils  heretofore 
brought  into  view. 

u  Messrs.  Printers , 

“  I  was  highly  gratified  on  perceiving  in  your  paper  of  the 
17th  of  Sept,  an  address,  (the  publication  of  which  entitles  you  to 
public  esteem)  by  “  Phylanthropos’’  to  his  fellow  citizens,  on  the 
importance  of  some  measures  being  adopted  to  renovate  the 
morals  of  a  certain  class  of  our  population,  and  thereby  prevent 
the  destruction  of  thousands,  as  yet  untainted  with  the  dreadful 
poison.  I  have  been  expecting,  with  solicitude,  that  some  ingen¬ 
uous  mind  would  imbibe  the  spirit  of  that  friend  to  mankind,  and 
zealously  contribute  its  influence  in  support  of  an  object  so  vastly 
interesting  to  the  community.  But  disappointed  in  this,  and  be¬ 
ing  the  father  of  a  rising  family,  whose  present  comfort,  and  future 
happiness  are  tender  as  the  strings  which  twine  about  my  heart, 

I  feel  compelled  (though  far  less  qualified  than  many  others) 
to  call  on  all  virtuous  heads  of  families  to  afford  their  individual 
aid  to  this  momentous  concern.  Never  was  there  a  subject: 
presented  to  the  consideration  of  the  public,  more  deeply  fraught: 
with  consequences,  important  to  society,  than  the  one  now  sug¬ 
gested.  What  will  all  the  improvements  in  education,  in  arts  and 
elegance  avail,  if  the  morals  of  our  children  become  vitiated  ? 
What  will  it  avail  for  us  to  accumulate  a  property  sufficient  to  es¬ 
tablish  them  in  business,  or  to  settle  them  in  life,  if,  during  the 
period  of  minority,  they  are  exposed  to  the  artful  machinations  of 
the  profligate,  and  the  cunning  of  that  detestable  character,  de¬ 
scribed  by  Solomon,  Prov.  2nd,  5th,  and  7th  chapters?  The  al¬ 
most  certain  consequences  of  such  an  exposure,  is,  the  destruction 
of  health,  character,  property,  and  life  itself:  and  with  those,  the 
happiness  of  themselves  and  friends. 

u  It  is  a  well  known  fact,  that  houses  of  ill-fame  have  multiplied 
exceedingly  within  a  few  years;  and  are  scattered  through  every 
part  of  the  town.  Our  children,  therefore,  are  necessarily  liable 
to  temptation  ;  and  however  secure  parents  may  feel,  as  respects 
the  safety  and  virtue  of  their  children,  many  of  them  can  form 
but  a  faint  idea,  what  company  their  sons  are  in,  when  out  of  their 
sight.  There  are  few  young  minds  (unless  fortified  by  real 
religion,  and  a  sense  of  the  heinousness  of  sin  in  the  sight  of  God,) 


24 


that  ax’e  capable  of  resisting  the  fascinating  allurements  of  an  art¬ 
ful  female,  combined  with  the  sneers  of  older  and  more  depraved 
associates.  Those  enticing  creatures  have  been  seen,  not  only  in 
parts  of  West  Boston,  but  elsewhere,  beckoning  to  young  persons 
as  they  passed  the  street.  Curiosity  at  first  mav  induce  a  compli¬ 
ance,  the  intoxicating  draught  inflames  the  passions  and  over¬ 
powers  the  judgment,  till  the  inclination  is  won  ;  a  repetition  of 
the  scene  indurates  the  mind  ;  the  habit  is  formed,  and  the  u  good 
name”  lost.  Unlawful  means  must  be  resorted  to,  in  order  to 
meet  expenses  ;  thus  every  species  of  iniquity  are  linked  together, 
and  the  wretch  becomes  a  willing  captive.  What  must  follow? 
The  susceptibility  of  a  parent  shrinks  from  the  heart-rending 
recital. 

“  The  question  now  forcibly  presents  itself ;  what  can  be  done  ? 
Let  parents  be  fully  aware  of  the  exposure  of  their  beloved  off¬ 
spring,  and  they  cannot  long  remain  inactive,  they  will  intercede 
with  the  fathers  of  the  town,  to  adopt,  and  perseveringly  execute, 
some  suitable  measures  to  correct,  and  prevent  those  enormities, 
(which,  ere  long,  must  draw  down  the  righteous  indignation  of 
Heaven,)  and  thereby  give  an  evidence  to  the  world,  that  such 
disgraceful  conduct  shall  not  be  suffered  with  impunity,  in  the 
metropolis  of  Massachusetts.” 


A  FATHER. 


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